Jim Colton, the nationally renowned and recently retired photography editor of Sports Illustrated, will visit ’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication on Tuesday, March 5, at 7 p.m. in the FirstEnergy Auditorium of Franklin Hall.
Colton will discuss the growing impact of sports photography on journalism and will offer a multimedia presentation featuring scenes and stories from the 2012 Summer Olympics. He will share his experiences and advice with photojournalism students and faculty.
The presentation is free and open to the public. Kent State students will tweet live from the event using the hashtag #coltonatjmc.
Colton’s appearance underscores the School of Journalism and Mass Communication’s emerging focus on sports photography and sports journalism. This academic year, the School of Journalism and Mass Communication added a sports photography class to respond to strong student interest. Colton’s appearance is also part of the school’s Diversity Speakers Series.
A 40-year industry veteran, Colton retired from Sports Illustrated in 2012 after 15 years as photo editor. He began his journalism career in 1972 at the Associated Press. Five years later, he joinedNewsweek as director of photography. Colton has been honored as one of the 100 most important people in photography by American Photo magazine. He was the jury chairman for the World Press Photo Contest in 2005 and received an International Photography Awards “Lucie” for Picture Editor of the Year in 2007. He was named the Magazine Picture Editor of the Year in 2008 by the National Press Photographers Association and was the recipient of the Focus award for Lifetime Achievement by the Griffin Museum in 2010.
“Having Mr. Colton here at the School of Journalism and Mass Communication will help us fulfill our mission of exposing students to successful professionals who represent diversity in the industries we serve,” says Thor Wasbotten, director of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
“There is nothing like the advice of an editor who has ‘been there’ and seen the work of the very best. It is impossible to fathom the photographs Colton’s eyes have seen,” says David LaBelle, coordinator of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication’s photojournalism program. “Charged with editing work from the best sports photographers and biggest sporting events, Colton's decisions were seen by millions weekly. When he talks about pictures, every student would do well to listen with both ears and both eyes.”
For more information about the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, visit .